Netra is a 15-year-old boy from Nepal. He lives with his parents and siblings. His father works in India to support his family, and his mother farms and looks after cattle. Netra is a student currently in the ninth grade. Netra was grazing his cattle when he stumbled on a stone and broke his left hand. Since his accident, his hand has been swollen, and he has been unable to go to school and be independent. On March 19, Netra will undergo orthopedic surgery at Bayalpata Hospital, our medical partner's care center, to repair his hand. Our medical partner, Possible, is asking for $541 to fund his surgery and accompanying medication, lab, hospital, and medical supply fees. Netra's uncle is looking forward to Netra's successful recovery!

Savong is a 31-year-old construction worker who is married with one daughter. He likes to watch TV and look after his daughter in his spare time. Three years ago, Savong was in a car accident that caused a fracture in his left femur. Despite an earlier hospital visit, Savong still has a hard time walking and is in pain. Savong heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from his neighbor. He traveled there with his wife to receive treatment. On February 15, surgeons at CSC will operate on Savong's left leg to surgically realign his broken bone and allow it to heal again. This procedure will allow Savong to walk easily again. He needs help to fund this $411 surgery.

Saw Ku is an 18-year-old student. Four years ago, he developed a tiny growth on his cheek that was not painful or sore. However, the growth grew more serious with time. After investigative testing, he was referred to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). Currently, the mass on his cheek is itchy and uncomfortable. It prevents him from washing his face and sleeping on his side. Furthermore, it also causes him to feel social anxiety. Fortunately, Saw Ku will undergo a mass removal procedure on February 14. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to fund this treatment. Saw Ku says, "I want to finish my Bible school and become a pastor."

Rakith is a 22-year-old man from Cambodia who loves to play music and sing songs. In fact, Rakith has shaped his life around this passion—he is a professional DJ. Having a job that relies so heavily on listening has made Rakith’s current medical condition especially difficult. When he was five years old, Rakith had an infection in his left ear that went untreated. He developed a cholesteatoma, an atypical skin growth in the bone behind the eardrum. Although non-cancerous, the cholesteatoma has caused Rakith significant problems. He now experiences hearing loss and ringing or buzzing in the ear. Rakith traveled two hours to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, where he was told his hearing problems can be fixed with a mastoidectomy. When Rakith undergoes this operation on February 8, surgeons will remove part of his ear’s mastoid bone so that they can remove the cholesteatoma. When the growth is gone, Rakith’s hearing will improve. Rakith and his wife cannot afford to pay for this treatment on their own. For $842, we can fund the procedure he needs, as well as the lab tests and two-day hospital stay necessary to ensure he recovers safely.

Emily is a ten-month-old baby girl from Guatemala. She is an active child, and she loves to play with her toy ball. She is the eighth child in her family. Her father works as a day laborer, while her mother takes care of the family. Emily has malnutrition. It's a dangerous condition, resulting from consuming too little protein, calories, and nutrients. In the short term, malnutrition means Emily has little energy to grow. As a result, her immune system is weak. This leaves her vulnerable to illness that further compromises her growth. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it’s also very treatable. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $492 to provide Emily with the nutritional supplements she needs. She will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children her age. Her immune system will grow stronger with the increased caloric intake. Community health workers will teach her mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet with limited resources. Emily’s mother says, “Because we are of scarce resources, it is often difficult to provide our daughter with enough food. I hope my daughter grows well, and in the future can study, so that she can have a better life.”

Keo Mony is a 38-year-old soldier who is married with one son and four daughters. He likes to watch TV, read magazines, and go fishing in his free time. Keo Mony has been diagnosed with bilateral hip avascular necrosis (AVN), which causes his bone tissue to break down. He experiences pain in both of his hips. In December, Keo Mony traveled for two hours with his wife to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Surgeons successfully performed a total hip replacement on his right side. His right side feels better, but he still experiences pain on his left side. Therefore, surgeons at CSC will perform a total hip replacement on Keo Mony's left side to relieve him of this pain. His surgery is scheduled for February 9. Keo Mony's family cannot afford to pay for this treatment, so CSC is requesting $781 in funding.

Silvestre is a 59-year-old man. He lives in rural Guatemala and works as a pastor. He loves serving his congregation. Silvestre has a hernia, which occurs when an internal organ protrudes through the abdominal muscles. He is often uncomfortable and in pain, limiting his ability to work. Without treatment, his hernia will likely grow, and complications could arise. Surgery for hernias is very effective and often accomplished without even an overnight stay in the hospital. Repair surgery will allow Silvestre to live without pain and to be present for his congregation and family. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $400 to fund this treatment. Silvestre will undergo surgery on February 9. Silvestre says, "I am happy that this is operable, and that I can leave this thing that has been bothering me for good. If everything goes well, I will keep working in the church and supporting my family."

Steven is a 10-year-old fourth grade student from the Dominican Republic. He lives with his mother, brothers, and grandparents. His favorite subject in school is science, and he hopes to be a doctor one day. When not studying, Steven likes to play soccer with his brothers. Steven was was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. As a result, blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving Steven feeling sickly and weak. On February 7, Steven will visit our medical partner's care center, Hospital Pediatrico Robert Reid Cabral, for a cardiac assessment that includes exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is asking for $1,500 to fund his cardiac assessment, as well as his medications and social support. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Steven's surgical care. "I am happy to have surgery so that afterward I will be able to run as fast as my oldest brother!" says Steven.

Ma Nyein is a dressmaker who lives with her son and extended family in Burma. In early 2016, Ma Nyein had an accident in her home, which resulted in chronic, severe pain on the left side of her head and numbness in her left eye. She was no longer able to work as a dressmaker. After the use of prescribed painkillers did not help, she consulted an eye surgeon. After numerous diagnostic procedures, Ma Nyein was found to have a large cyst on her optic chiasm. The optic chiasm is the point in the brain where the optic nerves cross. The optic nerves are pathways that carry information from the eyes to the brain. The cyst on Ma Nyein’s optic chiasm needs to be surgically removed. On February 8, Ma Nyein will undergo a cyst excision procedure. She needs help to fund this $1,500 surgery. Ma Nyein says, "I am excited to have surgery and get well soon. I plan to start sewing as soon as I recover from this illness."

Win Than is a 32-year-old housewife who lives with her husband and three children in Burma. Her husband is a motorcycle taxi driver and deliveryman and is the sole earner in the family. Her youngest child is in school, and her older children help her around the house. The family income is just enough for their daily expenses. About three months ago, Win Than began to experience lower abdominal pain. An ultrasound confirmed that Win Than had an ovarian cyst on her left ovary. She will undergo an oophorectomy to remove the ovary on February 3. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $913 to fund this procedure.

Andy is the second child in his family. They live near Lake Atitlan in rural Guatemala. Andy's mother is a housewife, and his father works as a public transportation assistant. Andy has been diagnosed with severe stunting as a result of malnutrition. He is underweight and small for his age. Andy’s mother says that her son rarely finishes his food and is often sick. Fortunately, malnutrition is easily treatable. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK), will start Andy's treatment program on March 13. Andy will receive food and micronutrient supplements. Community health workers will monitor Andy's growth and progress regularly, and they will also teach his mother how to prepare nutrient-rich meals for her son. Andy's parents are very worried about their son, but they do not have the resources to pay for his treatment. WK is asking for donations to fund his $492 malnutrition treatment. Andy's mother shares, "I hope for him to grow up and be a good student in the future." Let's help Andy develop into a strong and healthy young boy!

Juan is a six-month-old baby boy who is underweight and small for his age. His mother cannot produce breastmilk, so he has struggled to grow. Juan now has malnutrition. It's a dangerous condition resulting from consuming too little protein, calories, and nutrients. Malnutrition means Juan has little energy to grow. As a result, his immune system is weak. This leaves him vulnerable to illness, which further compromises his growth. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it’s also very treatable. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $492 to provide Juan with the nutritional supplements he needs. He will gain weight, and his immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet with limited resources. “I worry about my son because he is not growing as he should. I hope that he can develop well, and then study in the future,” says Juan’s mother.